GNC Engineer (Starfall)

About the role

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

GNC ENGINEER (STARFALL)

SpaceX is looking for engineers with backgrounds in orbital mechanics, control theory, state estimation, spacecraft systems design, atmospheric entry, optimization, and software development to join the Starfall guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) team. Come help us develop the GNC algorithms for Starfall, an entry capsule designed for logistics and in-space manufacturing applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

- Develop highly reliable and performant GNC algorithms, simulations, tools, services, and dashboards using C++ or Python; Starfall GNC Engineers write actual production code, not just prototypes for transcription by another team

- Participate in architecture, design, and code reviews

- Bulk data analysis to review performance data from Starfall flights, simulations, and operations

- Write high quality technical documentation of programs, algorithms, or analysis

- Entry vehicle trajectory design, guidance, and optimization

- Atmospheric entry, descent, and landing (EDL) algorithms

- Precision navigation and state estimation for reentry and recovery

- Attitude determination and control during orbital, deorbit, and atmospheric flight phases

- Fleet-level or multi-vehicle coordination for logistics delivery and recovery operations

- Simulation, analysis, and performance evaluation of entry systems under a wide range of conditions

- Integration of GNC with vehicle systems supporting military logistics and in-space manufacturing missions

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

- Bachelor's degree in computer science, aerospace, physics or an engineering discipline

- 1+ years of software development experience in either C++ or Python

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

- Master's degree or PhD in an engineering discipline or physics

- Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects

- Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals

- Experience with atmospheric entry guidance, navigation, and control for capsules or reentry vehicles

- Strong understanding of orbital mechanics, deorbit planning, and entry trajectory optimization

- Experience in verifying GNC algorithm performance via simulation, and validation of the simulation's models (including atmospheric, aerodynamic, and thermal environments)

- Experience with state estimation, particularly for reentry vehicles (IMU, GNSS, radar/optical, or other sensors)

- Familiarity with hypersonic flight regimes, aeroheating considerations, and precision landing/recovery techniques